On the map, this was indistinguishable from nearby Dameron Marsh. Upon arriving, I was surprised by…read morewhat I found here. A short boardwalk leads to a genuine beach, one of the larger and nicer ones I've ever seen on the Chesapeake. Don't get me wrong, nobody's surfing on the little waves the bay generates, but it's still got a nice beach aesthetic and a good view. Several cautions are warranted, including the obvious risks of biting insects (not so much on the beach, but definitely on the inland track) and jellyfish. But I was surprised when a local told me that some of the marshy areas and the stream where a lagoon flows into the bay are prone to developing quicksand, to the point where people can get seriously stuck. (Unlike in movies, quicksand is not likely to drown you on its own but I still would not want to step in it). So watch out for that and bring some bug spray. Plant and animal life was abundant, and between the forest, the marsh, and the beach, there was a variety of scenery. So little of the bay is open to the public and preserved in this way. And this is not a park per se, and so unlike most state parks, this is free to enter. The parking area is small, and signage says they do not allow parking outside the lines, so visitation will be limited simply by space. But if you see a space open there, I'd take it.

This park is fantastic. There are only 11 parking spaces, so access is limited. The trail through…read morethe woods is beautiful. Some of the trail is raised wooden platforms. The beach is amazing. It is rustic and beautiful with marshlands and wildlife. There are two hiking options. One is interior and goes in the woods. The other is beachfront. Both trails are great. There is one point where there is a small inland marshy lake. It is usually connected to the bay. The water here is usually flowing in or out depending on the tide. Be very careful trying to cross because the sand is soft and you could get stuck. It is remote, so you might not easily get help. The wildlife in this area is great. Sometimes I have seen hundreds of flapping rays just off shore. Birds, fish you never know. Fo and enjoy this special treasure.

Amazing little public beach. Yes it's small but it's mighty and still an amazing beach to get some…read moreR&R. There is plenty of parking spaces. I came on an early Friday afternoon and there was only one other family so it's nice and peaceful. Even with it being August, the water is still cool and a refreshing temperature. No bathrooms or trash cans from what I can see so plan accordingly.

Considered small compared to other beaches, small area for parking, best to get there early. No…read morebathrooms, bring your own snacks, drinks equipment etc... quieter than Yorktown beach... good for swimming but a fair amount of seaweed. Dogs allowed. I have been before to sunbathe... plan to go in the near future to metal detect and magnet fish. Don't see any posted operation hours on any websites for this beach.

This is a fun state park to visit! There is a beautiful area by the water that is great for walking.read more

I'm staying in the lovely guest house in the scenic Riverside Belle Idle and couldn't be more…read morepleased. The view from the bay window is phenomenal, the space large and comfortable. We've had trails to wander, seen wildlife, and could even go crabbing, pots provided (both kinds, to catch and cook!). The park is serene and so beautiful with the estuary, river, beachy, and woodsy biomes to observe.

You've come a Long way baby! WOW! I used to come here as a kid and it was nothing like it is now!…read moreTalk about a glow up! The beaches were pristine and even had a buggy driving on the beach picking up bits of debris, but mostly you didnt see any trash on the beach or in the park. The pavilions were clean too! There's a huge playground for the kiddies with plenty of shade! There were lifeguard stations at regular intervals, as well as emt & police patrols making this a safe haven for beach goers! We checked out the lighthouse in the center of the park, the historical marker. There were regular benches and lounge benches at various spots so you could chill if you forgot your beach chairs. Speaking of which, there was a stand/kiosk that rented beachy items - umbrellas, tents water activities, etc. and also sold sunscreen, sunglasses, and other sundries and necessities. Also, we found a sweet swing set near the boardwalk where you can just melt away into the horizon. The beach wasn't crowded and the water was calm and beautiful. Such a relaxing vibe. We will definitely come back to this beach, way more chill than VA beach and cleaner than colonial beach. Plenty of parking too, come during the week if you can! Saturdays get pretty packed. It's only about 1 1/2 hours from Richmond. We saw a couple girls with a big dog on the beach, I think it was a boxer or a Rottweiler- a lifeguard nicely told them that dogs weren't allowed. They were compliant. I appreciated the way that was handled. The park was lovely with picnic tables, lots of trash receptacles to keep the area clean. Great family spot!

Stopped at the beach while I'm the area for a conference. Absolutely unprepared. Rented a tent and…read morechairs, bought a couple waters and had a nice relaxing time for what it's worth. Parking was free and close to the beach. Bring your bug spray. Dogs are allowed, there is a playground and bathrooms are nearby.

This park is near the end of the Delmarva Peninsula. It has a beach, albeit not a huge one as…read morecliffs with private homes are visible in either direction. The site is notable for some abandoned ships offshore that look like interesting ruins to tour by boat. I experienced no great difficulty getting in and this is one of a finite number of parks on the bay side of the Eastern shore, so it is a good place to check out.

Beautiful park with many trails to pick from. Benches available throughout the park. Trails well…read morekept and flat. Great for birding!

A waiter at PF Changs recommended that we visit this beach while in the area…read more It's a lovely beach with a beautiful scenery and water access. It's family friendly and offered a few nearby eateries. I appreciate the free entry and free parking. Definitely a place worth visiting when in the area.

We had some formal family photos done here a few weeks ago and it was much prettier than I…read moreexpected. We found a parking spot nearby (though that can be an adventure on pretty, sunny weekend days). I really liked the area and want to come back with more time to explore. We dined nearby at one of the restaurants.

This is a lovely short trail. Parts of it is a raised wooden walkway. It's almost completely…read morelevel. At the end there is a raised wooden platform with beautiful views of the bay. If you never been, you should go. It's about one of the easiest trails you can do.

Dameron Marsh is located along the Chesapeake Bay in Kilmarnock, Virginia. The preserve in…read moreNorthumberland County is an excellent place to see marshland birds, local flora and fauna, and various wildlife. Managed by Virginia's Department of Conservation and Recreation, it is a must see in the Northern Neck / Northern Neck Heritage Area.

We visited this location specifically for the fishing pier and had an absolutely wonderful time. It…read moreis a fantastic spot to spend a few hours casting a line, whether you are an experienced angler or just looking for some casual fun. Beyond the fishing, the pier offers spectacular, wide-open views of the water. The entire area is remarkably clean and well-maintained. Another huge plus is the convenience factor--parking is entirely stress-free with an abundance of open spaces available, so you won't have to waste time searching for a spot.

Gone for fishing! Great place for that! They have boat ramps , public parking and a porta potty…read moreavailable! You can even have your feet in the sand. Great for kids! Best thing about this place is that it's FREE! What's not to like about that???

It's a strange thing to try to put a Yelp rating to, because this is a small park. When they say…read moreonly eight parking spots and nowhere else in the area to park or access the trails, they mean it. And when you hit the beach, you'll struggle to walk far in either direction amongst the driftwood. It was maybe a little over an hour visit for me, and maybe you could push it a little more if you did all the side trails. But I guess the thing for me is that I don't really have any desire to see them do anything different with the space. While much of the shoreline is developed or inaccessible, this area offers a fascinating variety of landscapes. The flora shift dramatically and suddenly, and you don't need signage to tell you where one zone ends and another begins. The diversion off of the main highway is not a huge one, and it is an interesting and worthwhile site.

Full disclosure. We weren't able to fully experience this area because sunset was already…read morehappening. If coming from downtown Cape Charles, the parking lot will be on your right. Look for the kiosk sign, it's a small dirt parking lot. It's easy to miss if you don't pay attention. The lot is said to house 8 cars. Trails are not paved and consist of a mixture of dirt, root laden and sand terrain. There is a small boardwalk to cross on one of the trails that leads to beach access that veers to the right. The trail that leads to the right is roughly Half a mile to slightly a 3/4 mile to the beach. I recommend wearing shoes and not flip flops. I did have shoes on. The starting trails have plenty of shade. We only took one of the three trails due to limited time and it was dark by the time we made it back. They do close the gate by sunset. I happened to be too busy looking at my phone on the way back and actually walked right into the gate. If you do go to catch the sunset, make sure you give yourself at least 10-15 minutes to get back or else you will be stuck using your cellphone flashlight to find your way back or maybe bring a headlight just in case. Also, I didn't have cellphone service, so make sure if you visit in the evening, that you let people know of your whereabouts, prior to heading out in case of an emergency. On the website they say there are no bathrooms, but I happened to see a port a potty on one part of the trail. It looks like a nice place to take walks and explore. I would like to go back and check out the other trails.

Hanging out on this beach in October made me feel like I'd somehow stolen a secret summer. The…read moreweather was lovely, the sand was perfect, and the water was balmy. I refuse to comment on whether or not I ignore warning signs. ps. Sunset here is lovely too!

If you go to the waterfront of Cape Charles, but you've neglected to bring your swimsuit, just kick…read moreoff your shoes on the clean white sand, roll up your pants, and wade out about 100 feet. The slope of the beach is very gradual, the water temp in mid-October was fabulous, and there was only the occasional dog walker. Some big rocks are good to lay on, if you are the type to ignore warning signs (you know who you are!)